Kendall Simmons: From High School Diamond to Professional Feat 

(Reading, PA) - When Kendall Simmons was 18 years old, he had a huge decision to make; play Division I baseball at Georgia Tech, or go-pro after being selected by the Phillies in the 6th round of the June 2018 Amateur Draft.

The 24-year-old infielder has no regrets, as he finds himself six years into his professional career with the Phillies organization. “For me, out of high school I was pretty ignorant to what I was getting myself into,” said Simmons. “You know it was good I failed and learned. I wouldn’t go back and do it over again... For me, it's bigger than baseball. As a man you get thrown into the fire pretty early, and it kind of molds and molds you as a human being.”

Simmons is fourth in the team in slugging percentage (.411) with 12 hits, 5 RBI and two homers this season through 17 games. After a brief seven-day stint on the injured list, he came back swinging. In his first three games back, he went 4-for-8, slashing .500/.636/1.000, with a 1.636 OPS. In his first game after being activated, Simmons broke up a Hartford no-hitter with a two-run home run. He also had a double, three RBI, and four runs scored in the series.

Before being drafted by the Phillies, the Georgia native was a renowned prospect in the U.S. Simmons was ranked No. 35 in the country by Baseball Factory in their 2018 Top 100 High School Prospects list. He attended Tattnall Square Academy in Macon, Georgia, and played shortstop, third base and pitched during his high school career. Simmons helped lead the Tattnall Trojans to two GHSA State Championships in 2016 and 2018. He was also chosen for the 2017 Perfect Game All-American Classic.

Simmons brings a great amount of depth to the Fightins roster with a plethora of skills and versatility at the plate, as well as defensively on the left side of the diamond. His athletic, muscular frame enables him to hit for drive, contact, and slugging. Defensively, Kendall has a powerful arm that can easily throw across the diamond.

Simmons has grown close to the staff and players who have been a part of the Phillies organization through the years and noted how they’ve impacted his game. “Me, (Carlos) De La Cruz, and (Tyler) McKay are the only ones left from 2018 (GCL Phillies) that are here. I think it's family, over the years you just become super close with everybody, whether you play with them or they’re just in the organization. You try to touch everybody that you see. Anybody can help you out, you never know when you need a hand.”

With nearly two months of the regular season complete, the Fightins have improved their ability to drive runners home with runners in scoring position. Simmons credits this to the team’s closeness and camaraderie on and off the field. “You’ve got your best friends out there. Especially when you might not be doing so well, and your best friend’s out there killin it, so you get a bit of joy from someone else’s success, not only yours. So it makes it easier day-to-day throughout a long season.”